Steelers stability carries on with coach Mike Tomlin signing 3-year contract extension
Mike Tomlin, the third-longest tenured coach currently in the NFL, is staying in Pittsburgh a little longer.
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a three-year contract extension for Tomlin on Tuesday. The contract runs through the 2024 season. Tomlin will enter his 15th season leading the Steelers when play kicks off this fall.
Tomlin signs Steelers extension
The Steelers don't make a habit of hiring coaches. Tomlin is their third since the 1969 season.
"I am pleased to announce we have extended Mike Tomlin's contract through the 2024 season," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Mike is one of the most successful head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident in his leadership to continue to lead our team as we work to win another championship."
Tomlin was hired in 2007 to replace Bill Cowher (1992-2006) upon the Hall of Famer's retirement. Chuck Noll coached Pittsburgh from 1969-1991. Combined the three have won six Super Bowls.
"I am extremely grateful for this contract extension and want to thank Art Rooney II and everyone in the organization for the support in my first 14 seasons," Tomlin said in a statement. "We have a goal of winning the organization's seventh Super Bowl championship, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this upcoming season."
The New England Patriots' Bill Belichick will be in his 22nd season and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton enters season No. 16. The Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh is currently the fourth-longest tenured coach at 17 seasons.
Tomlin is also one of only three Black head coaches in the NFL. He has been more vocal about the league's lack of coaching diversity this offseason.
Tomlin's success as Steelers coach
Tomlin hasn't had a losing season in his 14 years at the helm. He tied late coach Marty Schottenheimer as the only two head coaches to begin their NFL head coaching careers with such a feat.
He was the fastest coach to win a Super Bowl title in Steelers history by leading them over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. He was also the youngest to coach in and win a Super Bowl by doing it at age 36 years, 323 days.
The Steelers have won seven AFC North titles, earned nine playoff berths and appeared in two Super Bowls, including XLV.
Tomlin, 49, is 145-78-1 (.650) all time in the regular season, ranking 12th in NFL history. The 145 regular-season victories are tied for 21st overall in league history and the third-most among active coaches (Belichick, Andy Reid).
He is five wins away from passing Cowher (149-90-1), who is 20th on the all-time wins list. Noll ranks ninth all-time with a 193-148-1 record. Tomlin's .650 winning percentage is 11th in NFL history.
The Steelers were 12-4 in 2020 and finished atop the AFC North. They lost in the wild-card round to the Cleveland Browns in a disappointing blow.
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